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You already know how important it is to stay hydrated, especially after a long night's sleep, and especially in the colder months. Sleeping with the heat blasting all night is a sure way to dry you up and leave you parched. But as you reach for that cool, refreshing glass of water in the morning, you may want to consider squeezing some lemon in there. Here are 10 surprising benefits of drinking lemon water after you wake up.

1. Healthier Digestion

Believe it or not, adding lemon to your drinking water promotes healthier digestion. Lemon is an acidic fruit, and acids help break down food in your gut. As we age, our stomach acid declines and may not be enough to fully digest the food we consume. Supplementing the body's acids with a little lemon water in the morning is a sure-fire way make sure your tummy is primed for the most important meal of the day- breakfast!

2. A Supported Immune System

Lemons are chockfull of vitamin C, which helps protect your body against the common cold and flue, while also protecting and repairing your cells. Vitamin C also boosts the body's ability to absorb iron, an essential component of a healthy immune system.

3. Hydration

If you are one of the many who prefer flavored beverages over plain old H20, drinking lemon water on the regular is a delicious way to hydrate without the added sugars of store-bought fruit juices. It's yummy, it's healthy, and it's darn refreshing! Staying hydrated also keeps your energy levels up, so you can forget about that post-work crash at the end of your day!

4. Healthier Looking Skin

Damage dealt by free radicals is known to cause signs of early aging, such as wrinkles and dull skin. Thankfully, lemons contain antioxidants, which fight free radicals within the body. Some people even put lemon juice directly on their skin to fight acne and brighten their complexion. As someone who's tried it, I can say it definitely works!

5. Weight Loss

Imagine replacing your morning orange juice (or dare we say latte) with a refreshing glass of lemon water ever day. All those extra sugars and calories you were ingesting? Gone! If you are trying to lose some serious weight, a glass of lemon water a day will obviously not take you all the way to your goal weight without a little exercise. But it sure is a good start!

6. Reduced Inflammation

As osteopath Vicky Vlachonis told Health Magazine, “lemons are very high in bioflavonoids that destroy harmful free radicals that damage blood vessels and cause inflammation." Consuming lemons also helps remove uric acid, a major cause of inflammation, from your joints.

7. Fresh Breath

The antibacterial compounds found in lemons work hard at fightening odor-causing bacteria in the mouth, leaving you with fresh breath and a healthy chomper!

8. Boosted Brain Power

High levels of magnesium and potassium are found in lemons, and the presence of these two important minerals uphold your overall brain and nerve health. Potassium transports nutrients and waste throughout the body, and is also an essential component of nerve-muscle communication. A magnesium deficiency can lead to headaches, decreased focus, insomnia, and even depression. Never underestimate the minerals that a lemon can deliver!

9. Reduced Mucus And Phlegm

Warm or hot lemon water is an ideal remedy for those with excess mucus or phlegm, as the lemon dilution will help dissolve all that gooey stuff and get those passages clear. A must-try for singers, performers and public speakers!

10. Anticarcinogenic Properties

To get the most out of this wonderful fruit's anti-cancer properties, make sure to let the peel and pulp seep into the water, as these parts of the lemon have the highest concentration of tumor fighting antioxidants. if you have a juicer or a blender, you can make this process even easier!

Our Tip: buy only organic lemons, and squeeze one half into your filtered water each morning. Let us know if you notice a shift in your health and wellbeing!